Kid Friendly, Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2024)

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By Jen

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It is true. The thought of eating meatless meals can be a little bit scary. For some folks, meat is the very heart of every meal. But, let me assure you it is possible to make amazing vegetarian recipes that even the picky eaters in your house will love.

As the world buzzes with facts about the environmental and health benefits of cutting out meat (if only for one day of the week) it can feel overwhelming. As for kids – change is even scarier for kids. A meatless chili recipe!? My eldest daughter literally said, “the meat is my favourite part of chili!” Who knew?

New year, new goals and new recipes. Time to step outside of your comfort zone and take a chance on this delicious kid friendly vegetarian chili. No one will miss the meat.

Kid Friendly VegetarianChili

2 tbsp olive oil
2 shallots, roughly chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp cocoa powder
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp chili powder
1 tablespoon peanut butter (if you have a nut allergy you can skip this ingredient or substitute with a seed butter)
3 red peppers, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
2 sweet potatoes (total 10 ounces), chopped into 1/2 inch pieces (smaller if you have picky potato eaters, * see the note below)
handful of little yellow potatoes, halved
2 x 19 fl oz cans mixed beans (chick peas, black beans, butter beans)
1 x 28 fl oz can whole plum tomatoes
1 x 28 fl oz can diced plum tomatoes
handful of cilantro stalks
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sour cream

In a cast iron dutch oven…if you don’t have a dutch oven, a large flat bottomed pot will suffice…heat oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the shallots, cumin, cocoa, paprika and peanut butter. Cook the onions and spices until the onions soften and the peanut butter melts. You will have a dark, onion paste.

Addin the peppers, sweet potatoes and yellow potatoes. Toss the peppers and potatoes in the paste until they are coated.

Add beans (with their liquid), tomatoes (with their liquid), cilantro stalks and salt. Stir until all the ingredients are combined. Bring the chilli to a boil and then drop to a simmer. Simmer for 1-2 hours…until the potatoes are soft.

Serve the chilli with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Now, what does “kid friendly” mean? I have two kids – one kid devoured the chilli and even took a thermos full for lunch the next day. The other kid picked her way around the sweet potatoes. I’ll take that. She loved the flavours…not the chunky potatoes. Lesson learned, next time I’ll chop the potatoes smaller. If you have a picky potato eater…chop those sweet potatoes smaller. Kid approved!

Kid Friendly, Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (5)

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Kid Friendly VegetarianChili

Who said that kids won't eat vegetables? Make a big batch of this vegetable packed chili and your kids will clean their bowls.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Course: dinner, lunch

Cuisine: American, canadian

Keyword: chili, vegetarian chili

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 469kcal

Author: Jen

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 shallots roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter if you have a nut allergy you can skip this ingredient or substitute with a seed butter
  • 3 red peppers chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 sweet potatoes total 10 ounces, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces (smaller if you have picky potato eaters, * see the note below)
  • handful of little yellow potatoes halved
  • 2 x 19 fl oz cans mixed beans chick peas, black beans, butter beans
  • 1 x 28 fl oz can whole plum tomatoes
  • 1 x 28 fl oz can diced plum tomatoes
  • handful of cilantro stalks
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions

  • In a cast iron dutch oven…if you don’t have a dutch oven, a large flat bottomed pot will suffice…heat oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the shallots, cumin, cocoa, paprika and peanut butter. Cook the onions and spices until the onions soften and the peanut butter melts. You will have a dark, onion paste.

  • Add in the peppers, sweet potatoes and yellow potatoes. Toss the peppers and potatoes in the paste until they are coated.

  • Add beans (with their liquid), tomatoes (with their liquid), cilantro stalks and salt. Stir until all the ingredients are combined. Bring the chilli to a boil and then drop to a simmer. Simmer for 1-2 hours…until the potatoes are soft.

Notes

Serve the chilli with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Nutrition Info is to be used as a rough guide only. Nutrition info is based on the products I am using and you may not be using the same products/brands. Thus, the nutrition info may vary.

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 6.5g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 2072mg | Fiber: 18.9g | Sugar: 4.2g | Calcium: 1550mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 6.5g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 2072mg | Fiber: 18.9g | Sugar: 4.2g | Calcium: 1550mg | Iron: 1.3mg

This recipe is another twist on a Chef Jamie Oliver recipe – Smoky Veggie Chilli. I skipped using a grill…too cold to go outside and I didn’t have the time to use a stovetop grill. I also skipped serving the chilli with a baked potato. Instead, I added the little potatoes into the chilli itself. A few tweaks and this chilli has now been added to our regular rotation. You really cannot beat a big bowl of hot chilli on a cold, winter day.

Related Posts

Check out this collection of 15 Kid Friendly Meatless Recipes

Make a pot of farmers’ market vegetable soup

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About Jen

Jen Farr is a mother living in Toronto, Canada. She has been sharing her DIY crafts, recipes, activities and parenting advice for over 15 years on her blog Kitchen Counter Chronicle. Jen is the mom of 2 lovely daughters. She believes in the power of taking small steps that can make big impacts on the world.

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Comments

  1. Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.) says

    Jen this looks delicious (and hey, the meat is my favourite part of the chili too!). I can’t wait to try this recipe over the weekend!

Kid Friendly, Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  1. Brown the Meat.
  2. Don't Forget Vegetables.
  3. Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  4. Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  5. Opt for Dried Beans.
  6. Season Early and Often.
  7. Add Some Acidity at the End.
  8. Top It Off.

How long does veggie chili last in the fridge? ›

How to store and reheat vegetarian chili. In the refrigerator: this plant-based chili will stay good in your fridge for about 1 week. Once your chili is completely cooled, just place it in an airtight container (or multiple, if you'd like to meal prep it) without the additional toppings and place it in the fridge.

Is chili a veggie? ›

Chilis are technically berries because they contain seeds. But they are used more like a vegetable or spice because they have a savory, spicy flavor. Chili peppers originate from South and Central America and were first farmed in Mexico.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most flavorful meat for chili? ›

Texas Chili - Chuck

Most chili lovers will tell you that this is the ideal cut of meat for stew and chili. Chuck is initially a very tough cut of beef, but when you consider the fact chuck is highly marbled, it turns out this is perfect for the low-and-slow way to cook the perfect Texas chili.

What can I use in chili besides beef broth? ›

Like beef broth, chicken broth is a kitchen staple and makes a good substitute if you are all out of the meaty broth. This savory, salty liquid has a milder flavor than beef broth but is a good one-to-one replacement. Chicken broth also has a similar nutrition profile to beef broth, low in calories and high in sodium.

How do you thicken chili without meat? ›

Add cornstarch or all-purpose flour: Cornstarch and all-purpose flour are common thickening agents that you might already have on hand in your pantry. Adding flour directly into the chili will create lumps. Instead, make a slurry by mixing one tablespoon of cold water with one tablespoon of cornstarch.

What to add to chili for flavor? ›

Here are some of the most common (and most effective) flavor boosters to add to your chili recipe.
  1. Booze (Beer, Wine, or Liquor) ...
  2. Liquid Smoke. ...
  3. Brine or Vinegar. ...
  4. Soy Sauce. ...
  5. Fish Sauce. ...
  6. Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  7. Coffee or Espresso Powder. ...
  8. Chocolate.
Aug 23, 2021

What kind of beans are good in chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

Can I add celery to chili? ›

To make the chili:

Stir in the onions, garlic and celery cover and cook for about 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Sprinkle in the spice mix, stir and cook for an additional two minutes.

What is the best tasting pepper in chili? ›

In talking with many pepper enthusiasts, we've found the Habanero to be universally considered to be one of the best tasting peppers. It's flesh holds up to and absorbs smoking well. The smoked hab is a key (secret) ingredient in our Chili cook-off entries.

Is paprika a fruit or a vegetable? ›

Paprika is the dried and ground fruits of the capsicum annum plant, AKA bell peppers. Usually a sweet variety. Even though some early varietals and modern ones too, are spicy. So, no it is not a vegetable.

Is chili supposed to be tomato based? ›

Chili, also referred to as chili con carne is a hearty beef stew made with spices, peppers, meat, tomatoes, and beans (in some cases). Most homemade chili recipes are made up of the same basic ingredients like ground beef, onion, spices, beans, and some type of tomato product.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What makes can chili taste better? ›

Professional chefs shared their favorite ways to turn a can of chili into a tastier option. Cocoa, beer, and cinnamon are ingredients that'll boost the flavor of your dish. Fresh toppings are an easy way to add new flavor and texture to the premade meal.

What is a good additive for chili? ›

Cinnamon is a fairly common addition to chili, but you can also use small amount of nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and other sweet spices to make it more aromatic. Even a bit of star anise can enhance the beefy, spicy flavor of chili without being too licorice-forward (add too much, though, and it may taste more like pho).

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

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